To the editor:
My husband and I get up at 5 a.m. five days a week just like many others. We go to work (yes, that is spelled w-o-r-k) in order to support our family and to keep our mere possessions, like many others do. I really hate getting out of bed at 5 a.m. when the house is about 50-55 degrees, but with the price of heating fuel that “we pay for,” we can’t afford to turn the heat up. We eat quick prep foods since the price of groceries has skyrocketed. If I get sick, I wait until I am practically on my death bed before seeking medical attention because I have to pay for my own medical care. It’s a struggle just to pay our mortgage. Gas prices are crazy!
With that said, there are those who want everything for nothing, who want to sleep all day and party all night. They get free medical, free groceries, free fuel, free rent, free education, free dental, free childcare, compensation for vehicles and now free cell phones. Do veterans even get near that much? No they don’t! Veterans would be the ones who deserve such benefits for all they have given this country.
I know of more than one person who the state paid for college and they got their degree but decided it wasn’t what they really wanted to do so they continued college for a different degree and the state paid for that one too! I know if I choose a degree for college I have no choice but to stick with what I chose because I pay for it.
I know I am not aware of all the “free” things given, but I guess since I don’t get any of that I can’t possibly know all of the free stuff available. I would really like to know why I pay for healthy 20-year-olds with no children who are perfectly capable of working! I pay for their rent, food, fuel, medical, etc. I have been in the grocery store behind someone who pays for nice big lean steaks with food stamps while I buy hamburger. There are elderly people who have to choose whether they want to eat or pay for their medications with their mere funds, generally Social Security. I know some who had a job and quit, only because it interfered with their night life — yet we still pay their way and I still w-o-r-k!
Why does the state/town give so much? Is it to justify some jobs within the state/town? Whoever makes these decisions must have relatives or friends “in the system.” Oh, and everybody’s property taxes went up again. I certainly understand that because if we didn’t pay so much how would welfare survive?
From where I sit, the state/town is saying to all those healthy, young people living off of “me” that it’s OK to be lazy and you don’t need to work and feel proud of accomplishing something because the working class will pay your way. Really? Seriously, paying the way for healthy 20-something-year-olds, especially with no children who are capable of working, is wrong! They sure can pay for their cigarettes and “other” stuff they want! They may need to buy a case of bottled water and go out into the parking lot and empty every one of them to be able to return the bottles for cash — but hey, a little w-o-r-k never hurt anyone!
There certainly are the select few that absolutely need the help and appreciate it as opposed to expecting it. They have goals and walk away from it eventually and pay their own way. Good for them! I am more than happy to help them. I totally believe in helping those who need it and some do. I realize jobs are scarce but effort means a lot. Those that have tried and have no choice but to seek help, kudos to you because you tried. I would feel a whole lot better if I way paying for some elderly folks who have no choice to work.
I don’t like to pay for a young, healthy adult who is capable of working but chooses not to; not because a job isn’t available but because if they work they will lose benefits. As well, the “system” doesn’t make it any more enticing for people to work either, because benefits are cut severely making it not worth it. Again, I ask why. Is it to justify some positions in the state/town? The state/town allows people to take advantage, so is it really the recipient’s fault they get everything for nothing? Probably not.
Why is it Maine is known as the “welfare state”? Because it is the welfare state. That’s why! That is very well-known even in other states. Go to Maine and get everything for nothing!
Oh, and you’re welcome!
Cathie McBreairty
Caribou
